A BURNLEY school will learn in the new year if its bid for performing arts status has been successful.

Towneley High School will be told of the outcome of its bid in January.

And according to headteacher Sally Cryer, a change in status will give more opportunities for dance, drama and music and will help pupils achieve more elsewhere in the curriculum by boosting their self-confidence.

It would mark an excellent start to the new year for the head, who has just marked her first full year in charge of the school after taking over the role from much-respected predecessor David Hinks, who had led the school for 27 years, last year.

But the school is as successful as ever with overall exam results improving, student participation and involvement at its highest, the school achieving its best ever attendance figure and continuing to be oversubscribed.

Mrs Cryer, 37, said: "It's become in the last few years a very popular school in the town. Children want to be in Towneley and want to come to school."

In January, Sky television spent three days at the school filming a documentary focusing on how the school coped with the effects of the Burnley disturbances of 2001 and relationships within the school.

And then in June, Lord Tony Clarke and Arts Minister Estelle Morris visited.

The school also had a successful visit from government inspectors, who were impressed by the teaching and learning and relationships in the school.

There has also been huge success on the sports field with the tennis club winning four out of six Lancashire trophies, achievements in rounders and cross country and football triumphs.